Rear Speaker Opinions

[larryshomework]

I discussed this with a local stereo shop yesterday and unsolicited the guy said he wouldn't bother with the rear speakers. Interesting.


Thoughts on Dynamat? He recommended it but sounded expensive (around $300 install).

[musicboy]

Rear speakers do degrade the stereo soundstage (except as part of a surround system), but if you like the sound, do what you prefer. I knew a guy who won one of the big national sound-off championships with just a left and right front speaker and a sub. Dynamat will keep the car panels from resonating to the frequencies generated by the speakers, thereby lowering distortion, but it also adds a lot of weight.

[Grizzly]

If you plan to install Dynamat, do yourself a favor and look up B-Quiet Ultimate. It's performance is almost identical to Dynamat Extreme, but it is thinner, lighter and half the price of Dynamat. I used it on every square inch of the interior of my Mach 1 and the thing is like a bank vault.

[docdyh]

I like the rear speakers, but then again I am no audiophile....

[Cloudsurfer]

As to rear speakers, dont bother. Trust me. Get some decent components up frotn and drive them off a good amp. If you want bass you're going to need a small sub, but thats definitly getting into audio land.

If anyone doubts the imaging and soundstage that can be done with a convertible, I invite anyone to come for a drive in my car. And yes, I have a competition level audio system in my convertible, and no, you will never see any Sound Quality competition car have rear speakers.

As to Dynamat, a little bit goes a long way. Trust audio cars are dynamatted on every square inch, but in reality, 1/4 the amount will do 80% of the performance. It is heavy, so try to use the least possible. Lilke I said, a little goes a long way.

Patrick

[blinkwatt]

I think the original poster should post his intended purpose of the car's stereo.

Do you want competition level,decent sound or balls to the wall bass like on those SUVs?

[larryshomework]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

I think the original poster should post his intended purpose of the car's stereo.

Do you want competition level,decent sound or balls to the wall bass like on those SUVs?

Just better sound. The stock stereo just doesn't cut it -- it is borderline acceptable but falls a bit short on clarity at higher volumes. I don't expect audiophile level. Just clean, neutral sound that I can hear comfortably while driving. No sub for me. Not looking for thump.

In speakers, I look for neutral as possible. Had MB Quarts years ago in a Miata and they about made my ears bleed - much too bright. I've had small JL Audio (VR series) in 2 older Bimmers and was pleased with the sound.